Diet Soda May Cause Faster Kidney Decline
November 1, 2009 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Women's Health
If your diet is high in artificially sweetened sodas or sodium, you could be putting yourself at risk for faster kidney decline. Two studies on diet and kidney function are being presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual meeting. They were conducted by Dr. Julie Lin and Dr. Gary Curhan of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The study, “Associations of Sweetened Beverages with Kidney Function Decline,” revealed significant, “two-fold increased odds” of faster kidney function decline with two or more servings per day of artificially sweetened soda. However, sugar-sweetened beverages didn’t seem to affect kidney function decline. The connection between artificially sweetened soda and kidney decline remained even after researchers accounted for factors such as age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms by which artificial sweeteners affect kidney function haven’t been studied.
“Associations of Diet with Kidney Function Decline,” another study using the same group of Nurses’ Health Study participants, found that higher sodium intake was associated with greater kidney function decline. For a complete list of sodium sources, visit the American Heart Association. Some sources of sodium, like over-the-counter and prescription drugs, may surprise you!
The Nurses’ Health Study spanned 11 years and included more than 3,000 women, yet they were older Caucasian women, so the findings may not be as relevant to men or to women of other ethnicities.
These long-term, large-scale studies warning over high sodium intake and regular consumption of artificially sweetened soda give women yet another reason to curtail sodium intake and re-consider how often diet soda is consumed.
(Image via flickr Marcin Wichary)
